It’s important for you to seal concrete properly so that it is resistant to weather exposure, grease, oil and abrasions. Concrete sealers will also bring out the sheer beauty of your concrete, and make it easier to clean. This is why it’s important that concrete sealer is applied properly.

When should you seal concrete?

If you’re thinking about using concrete sealer, it’s important that you understand what the optimum time is to use it on your surfaces. Brand-new concrete should be cured completely; this means it should be left for at least 28 days in most cases.

Concrete sealers usually need to be applied in dry conditions because damp conditions may cause haziness or loss of adhesion to occur. Air temperatures should be maintained for a minimum of 24 hours after the seal has been applied.

Sealer needs to be left to dry fully before it is exposed to traffic, be it from cars being driven on it or people walking over it. In some cases, sealer needs to be left for three days before it is exposed to heavy traffic.

How should you prepare concrete for sealing?

An important aspect of sealing concrete is to prepare it correctly before you apply the seal. Surface preparation for existing concrete is essential, as oil, grease, dirt and dust needs to be removed so the sealer is applied properly.

If sealers have been used previously, then it’s important to remove any trace of the previous sealer before using a new one, as the two sealers may not work together. One recommendation is for an etching solution to be used to etch the surface before application.

How should you seal concrete?

When sealing concrete, it’s important that the right tools are used so that you can achieve the best possible coverage and thickness of the seal to give you the best finished product.

When applying concrete seal, it can be done by using a roller method or a spray method, and this will depend on whether you are using a solvent- or water-based sealer.

Regardless of whether you’re applying the seal using a roller or spray, you should always aim to ensure you achieve maximum coverage of the concrete area.

Best practice recommends that you apply two evenly thin coats on your concrete, giving enough time between each application for both coats to dry. This helps to prevent puddles forming, which creates a seal that becomes uneven. When applying your concrete seal, it’s best to work on small sections at a time, of about 25 square feet. You should apply the seal in thin coats, and drying time is around two hours, but this does vary according to weather conditions and temperature.

What are the benefits of sealing concrete?

There are many benefits for you to seal concrete, and it’s important for you to understand what they are.

As concrete is porous, it absorbs moisture, and if the moisture doesn’t dry, then mould thrives. Concrete that is left wet for a period of time will grow mould, and this will be obvious as a result of a green discolouring on the surface of the concrete. Sealing concrete helps to stop the growth of mould.

If concrete is exposed to elements such as the weather, cracking and scaling can occur. Sealing exterior concrete can enhance the longevity and durability of the concrete, by preventing damage to it.

Concrete can often become discoloured, especially if it’s exposed to harsh weather conditions or high volumes of traffic. This impacts your concrete as well as the appeal of your home or business, as it can look dull, dingy and uninviting. Sealing your concrete can help you to maintain its colour, and protect it from the elements so that it looks as good as new for a longer period of time.

Concrete sealing is an important part of maintaining the look and performance of concrete. To do this properly, it’s important that you adhere to the process of preparing and applying the seal correctly so that you can be sure your concrete looks as good as new and doesn’t get damaged by the elements over the coming years. There are many products available when it comes to sealing concrete, and it’s important that you choose the one that will suit your specific needs. For more advice, speak to us at Logco.